The recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor astonishingly add to the important and unconscionable list of black Americans who have lost their lives based on the color of their skin. I am both impatient and disgusted by the fact that as a nation, we seem to be placated by the passive discussion of ‘why.’ Why does this happen? Why can’t we get to a different place? Why is the response so visceral?
While it’s critical that companies, brands, and celebrities are seeing the importance in publicly affirming their stance against racism, much more needs to be done than issuing a statement to change the material conditions for Black people. Corporations routinely jump from diversity and inclusion messaging to underpaying Black workers, discriminating against Black customers, and harming Black users and community members. Corporations must interrogate their policies and practices and move beyond words to action.
Thirteen major corporations suspended donations to the 147 Members of Congress who directly incited the insurrection by voting to overturn the results of the election.